Game 76: Cavs at Knicks

WHAT HAPPENED The Cavs' luck ran out against the Knicks, who wrapped up their first playoff spot since 2004 with the victory.

The Knicks snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Cavs. Some how, the Cavs had won the first three meetings with the Knicks this season. That all came to an end on Sunday.

Perhaps the Cavs should petition the league to stop playing on the Sabbath. The Cavs are 0-12 on Sunday this season. When they look back on Sunday's loss, they need to look no futher than their 22 turnovers. It doesn't matter who you are playing, you're not going on the road and winning after turning the ball over that many times.

The Cavs welcomed back forward/center Samardo Samuels on Sunday. He finished with nine points and nine rebounds. But he turned the ball over five times.

He had missed the previous three games with a sprained right wrist. His post presence is missed on the Cavs. They competed on the boards on Sunday, 38-36. That's a stark contrast to Friday's game in Washington when they were ambushed on the boards.

The Knicks' Big Three of Amar'e Stoudemire (28), Carmelo Anthony (25) and Chauncey Billups (23) combined for 76 points. They pretty much scored at will against the Cavs.

Besides the turnovers, the Cavs also were miserable from the foul line. The Cavs shot 53 percent from the field, but only marginally better at the foul line (58 percent).

The Knicks only missed two free throws in 33 attempts.

The Cavs need one win to avoid tying the worst record in franchise history (15 wins in 1970-71 and 1981-82). They have six games remaining in the dreadful 2010-11 season, starting with Charlotte on Tuesday at The Q.